Trackchairs change lives. I’ve seen it first-hand and so has anyone who’s attended a WFTW event. At this year’s event Yellek came up with the idea of raising funds here at BS to buy one of these chairs for a wounded soldier or law enforcement officer. They’re not cheap, but we can partner with the Military Order of the Purple Heart for fundraising and also get a 501c3 discount on the chair. There are other discounts available but it depends on the recipient. I’ve been discussing this with John Collins who has help place several of these chairs. John is a mover and shaker working with the WFTW, Mustang Mentors, Carry The Load, Military Order of the Purple Heart and other grass roots charities here in Texas. They have a waiting list of deserving folks who could really benefit from one of these chairs. So I’m proposing that we work with John and the Military Order to make this happen.

Yesterday I spoke with Mark Creaney. He received one of these chairs and it’s changed his life in so many ways. He wants to share his story about the Trackchair and what it’s done for him. Mark is a sound guy and ran the board at WFTW events for several years. He’s coming up next week and we’re going to record a podcast here in my office. Hopefully we can get Blue Angel on the line to join us. Mark knows more about running sound than I do so it should work out really well, and maybe I’ll learn something.

These chairs cost $11k - $18k+ depending on the model and options. They need to be customized specifically for the recipient’s needs. Used ones are sometimes available and can be adapted. That’s a lot of money but I know that over time we can do this. If you’d like to help with this project, please consider donating items in the monthly KSAs or pledging cash support. We’re open to any and all fundraising ideas. Maybe a special limited bar with all profits going toward the chair? Got any ideas?

We are not accepting funds just yet but feel free to pledge or post ideas. I’d like to set this up so that donations go directly to the Military Order of The Purple Heart and are earmarked specifically for this project. We'll keep a running total in this thread and also add something in the left-hand sidebar.

I also need to mention that I’ve met Doug from Action several times and have talked to his daughter-in-law who is the office manager. They always bring a few chairs to the events for the soldiers to use. And I know Doug likes to follow up with chair owners and make sure they continue to work properly. I’m very impressed with what they do. Carlson is a family run company here central Texas. They're easy to work with and will make sure we get the best deal plus any grants and discounts available.

I like the idea. Perhaps we/they identify the worthy individual that we would be donating to, instead of just a "person on the list"? Would it actually be going to a wounded veteran for sure? I would much rather donate in that instance than say for a guy who drunk drove his car into a tree and lost a leg.

I like Doge's idea. I'd likely donate more if I knew who I was donating to and their story for something of this price. I do like the idea though...and that chair is freakin awesome. Coolest thing I've seen in a while.

SilverDoge wrote:I like the idea. Perhaps we/they identify the worthy individual that we would be donating to, instead of just a "person on the list"? Would it actually be going to a wounded veteran for sure? I would much rather donate in that instance than say for a guy who drunk drove his car into a tree and lost a leg.

Yes, we will be able to choose the recipient and they will be either a wounded soldier or a law enforcement officer wounded in the line of duty.

I personally know a couple of veterans that have these chairs. I know for a fact that it has changed their lives. This is VERY exciting and a huge thing for the members of Bullionstacker to take on.

Imagine having a conventional wheelchair and the restrictions on activities because of the narrow wheels. Soft ground, sand, mud, rocks....All off limits. With the track chair, pretty much anything goes. Going to the beach, coaching little league, going to the kids soccer fields, working with horses, going fishing, hunting. All these activities are now possible and will be things to be able to do.

I guarantee you that it is going to change someone's life.....and their families as well. What a blessing and a wonderful thing.

Silversaving wrote:I like Doge's idea. I'd likely donate more if I knew who I was donating to and their story for something of this price. I do like the idea though...and that chair is freakin awesome. Coolest thing I've seen in a while.

It's going to take time to raise funds and then 4-5 weeks to build and test the chair. I'm not sure at what point we want to choose the recipient. Do we want to choose someone now, then make them wait for many months, possibly a year? Or do we get close to the goal and then choose? I don't know the answer. This is why I think it's best to work with John Collins and the Military Order. They know these folks on a first name basis and have helped place quite a few chairs.

The other obvious question is will the charity accept crypto? With the new tax laws for 2018, if I sell crypto, to then donate to a charity, I would have a capital gain tax in order to donate cash - which in this instance I'm not even sure is a tax deduction through BS. If the charity converts crypto to cash, there is no tax consequence for them, similar to donating stock.

If they took any crypto, I would donate at least 1,000 QRL, if only BTC & ETH then I would give at minimum 1 ETH.

SilverDoge wrote:The other obvious question is will the charity accept crypto? With the new tax laws for 2018, if I sell crypto, to then donate to a charity, I would have a capital gain tax in order to donate cash - which in this instance I'm not even sure is a tax deduction through BS. If the charity converts crypto to cash, there is no tax consequence for them, similar to donating stock.

If they took any crypto, I would donate at least 1,000 QRL, if only BTC & ETH then I would give at minimum 1 ETH.

If I have to sell crypto to donate, then it would be less.

As this progresses I'm sure we can figure out a way to accommodate. Thank you sir!

Silversaving wrote:I like Doge's idea. I'd likely donate more if I knew who I was donating to and their story for something of this price. I do like the idea though...and that chair is freakin awesome. Coolest thing I've seen in a while.

It's going to take time to raise funds and then 4-5 weeks to build and test the chair. I'm not sure at what point we want to choose the recipient. Do we want to choose someone now, then make them wait for many months, possibly a year? Or do we get close to the goal and then choose? I don't know the answer. This is why I think it's best to work with John Collins and the Royal Order. They know these folks on a first name basis and have helped place quite a few chairs.

I'm not the authority on this kind of thing, but I believe you'll have a better turnout/donations if we have a face to see and their story to know when trying to get donations. At least in my own personal case that would hold true. If for example they or a loved one wrote of their love of the outdoors and desire to get back hunting/camping/etc that would resonate with me as I share those passions and I would donate a bit more to make that happen for them.

These chairs are amazing.One of the most memorable moments for me at the WFTW event was being able to see the pride in Mark's face as he stood for the presentation of colors with one of these chairs.I'm in all the way.